A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Afghan attacks result in deaths of 130 fighters
KUNAR, Afghanistan – A week-long offensive by Afghan and Nato-led forces has resulted in the deaths of about 130 insurgents in an eastern province of Afghanistan, the governor said yesterday – one of the highest militant casualty tolls from a single operation in recent months.
Fazlullah Wahidi, the governor of Kunar province, said the week-long air and ground assaults had focused on two districts which the Taliban had taken over. “The troops killed 132 insurgents, wounded 20 and detained another 40,” Mr Wahidi said from Kunar. – (Reuters)
Holding of Turkish officers criticised
ISTANBUL – Turkey’s armed forces issued a statement yesterday criticising, in unusually strong terms, the detention of 163 officers on trial for allegedly plotting a coup against prime minister Tayyip Erdogan’s government.
Turkey holds a national election on June 12th, and opinion polls show Mr Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party, or AK Party, is set to score a third consecutive victory.
The military’s comments are likely to revive tensions ahead of it. – (Reuters)
First woman leader for NUJ
LONDON – The National Union of Journalists (NUJ), which represents journalists in Britain and Ireland, is to have its first woman general secretary after the current deputy leader was elected unopposed, it was announced yesterday.
Michelle Stanistreet will replace Jeremy Dear, who is standing down in July after 10 years in the role.
She said: “I am immensely proud to be elected to lead our union and to be the first woman to have the opportunity to do so.” – (PA)
Koran-burning and violence deplored
WASHINGTON – US president Barack Obama and Afghan president Hamid Karzai deplored the burning of the Koran by a fundamentalist US pastor in a video teleconference yesterday and condemned the violence it sparked, the White House said.
Mr Obama and Mr Karzai discussed a range of topics, including the gradual handover of Afghan security from US and Nato troops to Afghan control. Pastor Terry Jones had burned a Koran in Florida on March 20th. – (Reuters)
Left-winger set to win Peruvian poll
LIMA – Left-wing nationalist Ollanta Humala is set to win the first round of Peru’s presidential election on Sunday as poor voters rally behind him, but he may struggle in a run-off against one of three business-friendly rivals.
Mr Humala, a former army officer who favours greater state intervention, leads three more market-friendly candidates who are vying for second place by between seven and 10 points, polls show. – (Reuters)